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The Rotary Club of Anthem requests a District Grant of $1,000.00 to provide eye exams, medical treatment and eye glasses for nine Zacualpa, Guatemala students. Don Whitman is the President of the Rotary Club of Anthem and Jean Herschede of the Rotary Club of Healdsburg prepared the District Grant request.
Background - The primary focus of Amigos de Guatemala is the education and associated medical needs of students. Since 2004, Amigos de Guatemala has completed over 20 major school development projects in the area of Zacualpa. The middle and high school scholarship programs, supported by the Rotary Club of Anthem and other Rotary clubs is in its 11th year. Other local needs and special projects have ranged from dental care to building and maintaining the library for the students. In 2014, Amigos de Guatemala incorporated in California as a 501(c)3 corporation to expand its reach to those under-served in Latin America.
Project Description - A team of volunteers, lead by Amigos de Guatemala Director Jean Herschede—a member of the Rotary Club of Healdsburg, CA—goes to Guatemala annually to review and follow up on all projects. The closest office for vision treatment is in Santa Cruz del Quiché, an hour away by bus. Through the partnership of Unidad de Ojos Guatemala, these students are able to have their eyes examined by an ophthalmologist at a reduced charge. The cost of the program includes in-depth vision evaluation, any medical treatment needed as well as corrective lenses and frames and the cost of transporting the students. The goal of this grant is for these students to have as close to 20-20 vision as medically possible to help them in their education and their day-to-day lives. The estimated time for the completion is two months after the formal granting of the funds.
Rotarian Herschede will coordinate with the non-government organization Association for Development in Zacualpa (ADIZ) President Fredy Argueta to schedule the students. Funds will be transferred from the Rotary Club of Anthem to Amigos de Guatemala in California. To minimize the cost of transfer fees as well as obtaining a better exchange rate, the funds will be bundled with other funds needed for scholarships and other activities prior to wire transfer to the Amigos de Guatemala account in Guatemala.
When all of the vision appointments and necessary corrections are completed, Amigos de Guatemala will receive a report and invoices from the ophthalmologist detailing the services and the corrections given each student. Amigos de Guatemala will make payment at that time. The final report will be sent to the Rotary Club of Anthem with copies of the items outlined above. Any funds in excess of the completed project will be returned to Rotary District 5490 and the Rotary Club of Anthem in proportion to their respective contributions.
Rotarian Involvement - There are no local Rotary Clubs in the Zacualpa area. A team of volunteers (mostly Rotarians), lead by Rotarian Jean Herschede, go to Guatemala annualy to review and follow up on all projects. The majority of support for the scholarship students is through contributions from as many as 15 Rotary Clubs plus individual Rotarians. Rotarians involved from the Rotary Club of Anthem are Rick Nollenberger, Ken Anderson and Tom Leyda.
Budget - Eye examination, medical treatment as necessary, corrective lenses and frames - Ophthalmologist quote per student: GTQ1,500 X 9 students = GTQ 13,500
Transportation for students to and from the medical office
X2 for the initial and follow-up visits: GTQ 2,000
GTQ (Guatemalan Quetzal) TOTAL: GTQ 15,500
U.S. DOLLAR TOTAL (Depending on exchange rate): $ 2,000
Benefits - This project will enable nine students with high to severe vision problems to maximize their educational and career experiences fully. The direct beneficiaries of the project are Amigos de Guatemala Rotary-funded scholarship students.
Upon award of the District Grant, appropriate print, electronic, and social media releases will be made and posted. In addition to explaining the details of the grant support of the Amigos de Guatemala Vision Project, the media releases provide facts about the Rotary Club of Anthem, Rotary International and Rotary Foundation's charity rating that is the result of its funding model and financial oversight. The intent is to encourage the public to participate in Rotary events and contribute to Rotary Foundation programs and projects.
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